Sierra’s Gianna Lenoci does not get the tag on the Oakdale base runner in time at third base during Wednesday’s varsity game as Sierra hosted Oakdale High.

HIME ROMERO/The Bulletin/

The visiting Mustangs had only three hits Wednesday at Sierra, but one of those was a two-run home run in the fourth inning by Lauren Sanders. That proved to be just enough for in a 2-1 win over the defending Valley Oak League champion Timberwolves.

“This is why the girls play the game,” Oakdale coach Larry Loger said. “For close games like this and the excitement level that goes with them.

“We have been up for this one for three days so it was fun. We have had so many 1-0 and 2-1 games here at Sierra and against them at Oakdale through the years. Sierra has a quality program and it is fun when you get to play those kinds of games.”

The Timberwolves (1-1 VOL, 5-2 overall) had an opportunity to strike back in the bottom of the fourth inning and came close, but not close enough.

Sierra pitcher Allie Walljasper exacted a little revenge with a one-out solo home run to center field to cut the gap to 2-1. Julie Deanda’s single followed by a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Moss and a single by Gianna Lenoci gave the Timberwolves runners on first and second with two out, bringing Mariah Jurado to the plate.

Jurado hit a hard grounder between third and short, but Mustangs shortstop Haley Fuller dove to her right, knocked the ball down and got it to third just ahead of Deanda for the final out of the inning. Sierra did not get another runner past second base.

“Oakdale is one of our big games of the season,” Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo said. “We have three of them and this is not how we wanted to start.

“You are not going to win games unless we put the ball in play more than we did. We are doing what we need to do defensively, but offensively we need to work.”

Walljasper tallied 15 strikeouts and allowed just two base runners after Sanders’ home run.